Naked Science Forum

General Science => General Science => Topic started by: Pseudoscience-is-malarkey on 26/09/2021 20:11:36

Title: Why (or how) does salt make food taste better?
Post by: Pseudoscience-is-malarkey on 26/09/2021 20:11:36
?
Title: Re: Why (or how) does salt make food taste better?
Post by: Kryptid on 27/09/2021 01:27:03
Why it makes food taste better isn't much of a mystery. Sodium and chloride ions are essential for certain biological functions, so a method of detecting those ions in food (via the appropriate taste receptors) combined with neural pathways to the brain's reward center reinforce behaviors to seek out and acquire salt.

How it makes food taste better... that would have a more complicated answer that came down to the specific wiring of the human brain. I'm not exactly privy to that.
Title: Re: Why (or how) does salt make food taste better?
Post by: Petrochemicals on 27/09/2021 02:09:18
Monosodium glutimate is a flavour enhancer, seen in such things as aeroplane food and  chinese cuisine.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monosodium_glutamate
Title: Re: Why (or how) does salt make food taste better?
Post by: evan_au on 27/09/2021 04:25:02
As I understand it, Sodium Chloride (common salt) tends to suppress bitter flavours. So it makes food taste better.

A lot more at: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK50958/
Title: Re: Why (or how) does salt make food taste better?
Post by: Just thinking on 27/09/2021 12:43:15
?
It wouldn't make ice cream taste better even though there is a little salt in milk. It is just that most people like the flavour of salt on foods that it is compatible with why do we like sugar for the same reason. This is true for all flavours in all foods. PS salt activates our saliva and the chemicals in our saliva activate and distributes the flavour. Salt is vital for our bodies to survive and as a result, we crave for it.
Title: Re: Why (or how) does salt make food taste better?
Post by: chiralSPO on 28/09/2021 00:06:21
It wouldn't make ice cream taste better

I don't know... having enjoyed ice cream with pretzels in it, and salted caramel ice cream.... I don't think salt and ice cream are mutually exclusive. (just don't add enough to melt it!)
Title: Re: Why (or how) does salt make food taste better?
Post by: Bored chemist on 28/09/2021 08:54:21
Monosodium glutimate is a flavour enhancer, seen in such things as aeroplane food and  chinese cuisine.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monosodium_glutamate

Learn to spell.
Also, you present it as if it's some artificial additive.
Glutamate is naturally present in a lot of food, notably cheese, nuts and tomatoes.
But, most importantly, since it isn't salt, it isn't an answer to the question.
Title: Re: Why (or how) does salt make food taste better?
Post by: evan_au on 28/09/2021 10:14:11
Quote from: Petrochemicals
Monosodium glutamate is a flavour enhancer
MSG gets some additional appeal as representing the "Umami" or "protein" flavour, since the glutamamate component is an amino acid.
Title: Re: Why (or how) does salt make food taste better?
Post by: hamdani yusuf on 28/09/2021 12:09:58
I think this video is quite informative in describing tastes and their biological process or origin.
Quote
Artificial sweetener works by binding to your sweetness receptors but they provide no calories. What effect does that have on the sweetness receptors in your gut and can your other taste senses be tricked in the same way: sour, butter, umami (savory) and salt?
Title: Re: Why (or how) does salt make food taste better?
Post by: Zer0 on 29/09/2021 16:29:22
Glad someone brought this topic up.
👍
I wanted to inquire too, but felt unnecessary to create a whole new OP for such a small query.
Hence Thanks Alot P_M!!!
😇
🙏

Okay so, I've got low blood pressure.
& Chronic Anaemia.
My work profile is mostly under the roof, caged by glass partitions & I'm made to suffer chilly cold, like as if I'm a snowman that might meltoff.

(Central air conditioning suckz)

& I hardly get to see the Sun.
At times i do, thru a window, but cannot feel the warmth atall.

All the above context was a bit necessary coz i feel all of it contributes towards my salt craving.

Yes!
I mix salt in EveryThingy!!!
(not really, tea & coffee is fine, so's beer)

I feel I can't survive without Ketchup!
😋

But yea, my body craves salt.
Anything salty, i instantly like it.

I figured this out thru my eating patterns.
It started with salty peanuts.
I thought i love peanuts.

Then salty chips & fries.
Then other salty snacks, until i realized meself... it's Not the peanuts or chips or fries or ketchup..
It's the Salt!
(Epiphany)

But here's the thing, i tried goggles & a local dietician & my family physician.
None provided any clue as to Why?

The urge for Salty stuff is soo extreme, i at times feel it might be an OCP Disorder.
🥴

Anyone, any thoughts?
Title: Re: Why (or how) does salt make food taste better?
Post by: Just thinking on 29/09/2021 17:01:36
Anyone, any thoughts?
Hi Zero you mentioned that you suffer from low blood pressure yet salt consumption is more likely to lead to high blood pressure. The need you have for salt may be a natural response to what your system needs to come to a balanced state. But you should find a doctor that is willing to investigate your situation to the limits. I to have low blood pressure at times and it is a very uncomfortable feeling my vision can tunnel my ears can ring and I will feel quite faint and I to like salt on most foods. I hope we can find a better fix. PS. Eat well.
Title: Re: Why (or how) does salt make food taste better?
Post by: Zer0 on 01/10/2021 16:05:19
Hi J_T!
Thanks for your concern.
😊
🙏

Nope!
The local dietician nor the family physician showed much interest, except for to advice to cut down on salt.

Even Googling did Not help.
There's soo much bout sugar & diabetes, n soo less bout salt.
😏
(Similar suggestions appeared online, sayin cut down on salt n have a balanced diet)

I'm still stuck with the salt thou.
I think or i guess it's salt deficiency.

If i cut off salt completely, my b.p. will plummet fo sure!
🤭
Prapz my body is smarter than me, n chooses to override my mind.

Ps - I did read that a low b.p. is riskier than high b.p...but that did Not make sense.
Both can lead to loss of life.
U Tc Too!
🤞